Metroparks deer cull provides venison to shelters

145 does, 50 bucks killed between Jan. 6 and Feb. 8

A white-tail deer finds something to eat at at Wildwood Metropark Preserve. The controversial deer kill at two preserves in the Metroparks of the Toledo Area system has ended with 195 of the animals being removed by sharpshooters, park district officials said.

The controversial deer kill at two preserves in the Metroparks of the Toledo Area system has ended with 195 of the animals being removed by sharpshooters, park district officials said.

The deer — 145 does and 50 bucks — were culled from herds between Jan. 6 and Feb. 8 inside Oak Openings Preserve in Swanton Township and Wildwood Preserve in Sylvania Township, said Scott Carpenter, metroparks spokesman.

He said sharpshooters killed 30 deer at Wildwood Preserve during one night and 165 were killed on three nights at Oak Openings Preserve.

The four nights used for the kill were far fewer than the 22 nights permitted under the agreement with an agency of the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

The deer were taken to local processors and 6,740 pounds of venison were donated to local homeless shelters and community kitchens.       

The monthlong cull was part of the metroparks’ deer-management program begun three years ago to control the white-tailed deer population on its properties and reduce the damage a burgeoning herd does to the habitat.